Thailand’s car sales in November stood at 73,068 units, a decline of 21.8 percent from the corresponding period of 2013, according to an announcement issued by Toyota Motor Thailand.
Total sedan sales in November were 29,242 units, down 27.7 percent from the same period last year, while sales of vehicles for commercial purpose were at 43,826 units, a decline of 17.4 percent, said the announcement.
It said sales of one-tonne pick-up trucks stood at 35,644 units, down 22.6 percent, due to high household debt, forcing spending by the household sector to slow down as well.
Automobile sales during the first 11 months this year were at 792,328 units, down 34.9 percent year-on-year, according to the announcement.
Car sales are usually high in December every year, but the Consumer Confidence Index in November still retreated due to the public’s worries over global economic uncertainty.
Thailand’s exports and the tourism sectors have not fully recovered and falling purchasing power is also due to the falling prices of agricultural products.
It is likely that car sales this month would remain steady.
Manas Jamveha, director-general of the Comptroller General’s Department, said most of Thailand’s economic growth is derived from upcountry which is worth approximately Bt8.5 trillion, about 70 percent.
The regional economy has grown much more than Bangkok during the past decade, Manas said, adding that this year’s regional economy is projected to grow 2.8 percent, less than last year when it expanded 4.5 percent, due to the declining prices of agricultural products.
The lower northeastern provinces are expected to enjoy highest growth at 3.7 percent in 2014 due to border trade expansion, he said.
It is projected that provinces in the lower North would grow the least at 1.3 percent, said Manas.
He said it is projected that regional economy would grow 4.7 percent during the calendar 2015.
